Environmental Specialist - Water Resources

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, natural science, or a related field and one year of related environmental experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.Acceptable (equivalent) Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, natural science, or a related field and 1 year environmental and/or hazardous waste experience.  (5 years total)
• Associate's degree (2 years) and 3 years environmental and/or hazardous waste experience.   (5 years total)
• High School diploma or equivalent and 5 years environmental and/or hazardous waste experience.  (5 years total) 

Position Summary

This is an entry-level professional position that may include work in any of the following areas depending on the hiring division: coordination and performance activities of environmental programs, compliance review and inspection of environmentally affected sites, environmental regulation research, field sampling and testing, public education activities, and record-keeping and data coordination.
 Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes  a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including:  integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

May conduct periodic compliance inspections of areas, facilities, and/or activities that come under environmental regulation and review permit and compliance status.
Researches and assists in development of new and/or existing environmental regulations and education materials.

May assist with inspections of groundwater wells, surface waters, wastewater treatment facilities and other environmentally affected sites for compliance with regulations or planning or monitoring purposes.

Prepares data summaries and reports including tables, charts, spreadsheets, maps and databases for evaluation and tracking of environmental data.
Operates environmental monitoring equipment according to standard operating procedures and documents data and field measurements.
Assists with special projects and grants for water quality and water conservation which may involve data collection, summary, and report writing.

Assists with implementation of the Alachua County Water Quality Code, including irrigation elements.  
Leads public outreach programs.Operates, as required, motor vehicles (including departmental motor vehicles), as well as small equipment and machinery in order to carry out various Environmental Protection operations.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of local, state and federal rules, regulations and ordinances related to environmental protection.

Knowledge of computer, word processing and data management programs and Geographic Information Systems as applicable.

Skill in dealing effectively with facility owners, governmental officials and citizens.

Skill in the operation of motor vehicles.
Ability to follow standard operating procedures and compile routine reports and maintain accurate records.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees, other governmental agencies and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee occasionally is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and in a variety of settings. The employee may perform field work in inclement weather and harsh conditions such as wet areas and dense brush with biting insects, venomous animals or irritating plants.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$48,193.60 Annually